ES2789326T3 - Pipette tip container - Google Patents

Abstract

A pipette tip container (10) comprising: a pipette tip (12) having a lumen (14) extending between a proximal opening (16) of a first diameter and a distal hole (18) of a second diameter, less than the first diameter; at least one pellet (20) of material disposed in the lumen (14) of the pipette tip (12) between said proximal opening (16) and distal hole (18), where the second diameter is too narrow to allow it to pass the tablet (20); and a retainer (22) arranged in the lumen (14) between the pad (20) and said proximal opening (16), the retainer (22) being arranged to prevent the at least one pad (20) from moving past the retainer (22) in the lumen (14) but allowing the fluid to move past the retainer (22) in the lumen (14); the retainer (22) having a distal end (24) and a proximal end (26), wherein the distal end (24) retainer (22) is circumscribed within a third diameter and the proximal end (26) of the retainer ( 22) is circumscribed within a fourth diameter, greater than the third diameter, where at least a first zone (28) of a periphery of the distal end (24) of the retainer (22) does not contact an interior wall (30) of the lumen (14) and wherein at least one area (32) of a periphery of the proximal end (26) of the retainer (22) exerts resilient pressure on the inner wall (30) of the lumen (14) and maintains the retainer ( 22) in the light (14) by friction with the inner wall (30) of the light (14).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Pipette tip container

TECHNICAL FIELD

This presentation is related to long term storage (especially long term stability) of solid reagents, and in particular to a container for efficiently storing solid reagents and a method of using the container.

BACKGROUND

Some reagents and especially some biological reagents, for example some proteins or enzymes for in vitro diagnosis, are not stable for a long time when they are in liquid form and ready to use (problem of long-term stability, on-board stability and / or stability of thermal stress). Storage of such unstable reagents, for example for a period such as 18 months, can be done by storing the reagents in a solid form such as a lyophilized form. A reagent in solid form such as a lyophilized (freeze-dehydrated) form is generally stored in a brown glass bottle sealed with a rubber septum, the inside of the bottle is either evacuated or filled with a neutral gas, to preserve the reactive against moisture and degradation (loss of physical stability and / or reactivity).

To use this type of reagent you must: introduce a precise volume of diluent or solvent into the bottle; mix the reagent with the diluent until the solution is homogeneous; then remove the solution from the bottle for use. The introduction of the diluent and then the transfer of the homogeneous solution can be achieved by opening and closing the bottle or using a syringe needle that passes through the septum.

This type of known process involves several drawbacks, such as being long to implement due to the number of manipulations involved and large volumes to handle (when dilution is automated), or delicate to implement because care must be taken to introduce a precise volume. of diluent in the bottle. Also, some solid reagent may be lost if the bottle is opened and closed, some dissolved reagent may remain unreachable in the bottle if a syringe is used.

Many attempts to automate the process of mixing a solid reagent with a diluent have been unsuccessful. Manufacturers of medical in vitro diagnostic systems, for example, require their users to manually dilute solid state reagents for use in their medical in vitro diagnostic systems.

US 2002/110817 describes a device for containing, reacting and measuring, and a method for containing, reacting and measuring, and provides a device for containing, reacting and measuring, and a method for containing, reacting and measuring that it is also capable of efficiently and rapidly performing the reaction, measurement and identification process. Describes a transparent container section having a liquid inlet / outlet and which may contain a base member with various substances for detection having predetermined chemical structures fixed in respective fixed positions which are arranged in a predetermined condition, and with each of the chemical structures associated with each of the fixed positions, an attraction and discharge section that is capable of attracting and discharging liquid from the container section via the inlet / outlet, and a metering device that is capable of receiving lumen of the contained base member, external to the container section and in a condition associated with the fixed position.

Document US 2016/0333543 describes an automated biological sample processing system comprising a pipette, a column of solid phase material to which nucleic acid is bound, a transport apparatus, an air piston apparatus and an adapter for coupling the pipette to the transport apparatus and the air piston apparatus, wherein the adapter is removably engageable with the transport apparatus and the air piston apparatus for movement with the transport apparatus during sample processing, It is attachable to the pipette so that the transport apparatus is controllable to position the pipette and so that the air piston apparatus is controllable to attract a liquid to the pipette and to expel the liquid from the pipette, and it is engageable with the column, wherein: the adapter comprises a filter to prevent transfer of liquid or aerosol between the pipette or column and the air piston apparatus.

Document KR 2014/0068437 describes a structure and components for mixing solutions. More specifically, it describes a syringe ( spuif) that includes a ball of boronic acid latex in an inflow tubing and has a through hole in a cap unit so that a pretreatment process can be performed in which a sample of blood, a buffer solution, and the boronic acid latex ball are mixed when measuring glycohemoglobin (HbA1c) through the syringe ( spuit). In the syringe ( spuit) of the present invention, the cap unit made of elastic material is coupled with the upper end of the inflow line through which solutions are fed. The through holes are formed on both the left and right sides or on one side of the cap unit. The inflow pipe comprises: a tip unit which is arranged at the lower end of the inflow pipe and is formed into a pipe structure; an inflow pipe bottom part into which the tip unit is inserted; and an inflow pipe top It is arranged on top of the bottom of inflow pipe and has a stepped pulley on the bottom of inflow pipe. Included within the bottom of the inflow pipe is a protrusion unit which is formed by the tip unit inserted into the bottom of the inflow pipe so as to protrude. Furthermore, a latex ball is prepared at the bottom of the inflow pipe. A ring to prevent the movement of a ball is fixed and mounted on the bottom of the upper part of the inflow pipe. The latex ball includes boronic acid.

There is a need for a container that facilitates automated mixing of a solid reagent with a diluent.

COMPENDIUM

One embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a pipette tip container having: a pipette tip with a lumen extending between a proximal opening of a first diameter and a distal hole of a second smaller diameter; a soluble tablet disposed in the lumen of the pipette tip between said proximal opening and distal hole, the second diameter being too narrow to allow the tablet to pass; and a retainer disposed between the pad and the proximal opening and arranged to prevent the pad from moving past the retainer in the lumen but allowing fluid to move past the retainer in the lumen; The retainer has a distal end arranged so that a portion of its periphery does not contact the inner wall of the lumen and a proximal end arranged so that a portion of its periphery holds the retainer in the lumen by friction with the interior wall of the light.

The present invention comprises a pipette tip container with: a pipette tip having a lumen extending between a proximal opening of a first diameter and a distal hole of a second diameter, smaller than the first diameter; at least one pellet of material disposed in the lumen of the pipette tip between said proximal opening and distal orifice, wherein the second diameter is too narrow to allow the pellet to pass; and a retainer disposed in the lumen between the pad and said proximal opening, the retainer being arranged to prevent the at least one pad from moving past the retainer in the lumen but allowing fluid to move past the retainer in the lumen; The retainer has a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end of the retainer is circumscribed within a third diameter and the proximal end of the retainer is circumscribed within a fourth diameter, greater than the third diameter, wherein at least one first area of a periphery of the distal end of the retainer does not contact an interior wall of the lumen and wherein at least one area of a periphery of the proximal end of the retainer exerts resilient pressure on the interior wall of the lumen and maintains the retainer in the light by friction with the inner wall of the light.

According to one embodiment of the present description, the lumen is conical.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the pipette tip comprises an additional lumen axially aligned with the lumen; the additional lumen extends between the distal hole of the lumen and a distal end of the pipette tip; the additional lumen has a diameter greater than said second diameter.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the distal end of the retainer is distant from the proximal end of the retainer by a height greater than said fourth diameter.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, said at least one area of a periphery of the proximal end of the retainer that contacts the interior wall of the lumen comprises at least two pad areas each coupled to the distal end of the retainer by a resilient arm.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, each resilient arm comprises a radial opening between the proximal end of the retainer and the distal end of the retainer, each radial opening developing from said first region of a periphery of the distal end of the retainer; the radial openings in the arms communicate with an axial opening in the proximal end of the retainer.

According to an embodiment of the present description, said at least one material tablet comprises at least two material tablets.

According to an embodiment of the present description, said at least two tablets of material have the same shape and the same size.

According to an embodiment of the present description, said at least one pellet of material is hemispherical.

According to an embodiment of the present description, the distal end of the retainer comprises an axial opening and the beginning of at least one lateral opening further develops in the retainer; the axial opening and the lateral opening have a non-parallel axis.

According to an embodiment of the present description, said retainer has a longitudinal axis and said at least one area of a periphery of the proximal end of the retainer that contacts the interior wall of the lumen comprises at least two resilient pad zones each following an arc of a circle concentric with said longitudinal axis, each pad zone coupled to the distal end of the retainer by a resilient arm comprising a radial opening between the proximal end of the retainer and the end distal of the retainer; wherein the distal end of the retainer comprises a ring zone concentric with said longitudinal axis and connected to a distal zone of each of said resilient arms; an outer diameter of said ring area being reduced in an alignment of the radial opening of each resilient arm.

According to an embodiment of the present description, a distal area of the inner wall of the lumen comprises a protrusion arranged to prevent a complete periphery of said at least one pellet from contacting a complete periphery of the inner wall of the lumen.

According to an embodiment of the present description, a distal zone of the lumen comprises a plug arranged to prevent said at least one tablet from reaching a position near the distal orifice of the lumen where a complete periphery of said at least one tablet could contact a complete periphery of the inner wall of the light; the plug being arranged to provide a fluid path through the lumen.

According to an embodiment of the present description, the pipette tip container comprises between said retainer and said proximal opening a filter that prevents the passage of solids or liquids.

According to one embodiment of the present description, the pipette tip is made of a transparent material.

According to an embodiment of the present description, said tablet comprises soluble reactant.

The present invention comprises a method of using the pipette tip outlined above, the method comprising: connecting said proximal end to a pipette body; drawing into the pipette tip a solvent volume of said soluble material to at least said distal end of said retainer; and after at least one area of said tablet is dissolved, emptying solvent and dissolved material from the tablet into a desired container.

According to an embodiment of the present description, the method comprises, provided that the soluble reactant in the tablet is not completely dissolved, repeating said attraction of the solvent to at least said distal end of said retainer; and emptying said solvent and dissolved material from the bar to said desired container.

According to one embodiment of the present description, the method comprises, after the soluble reactant in the tablet has completely dissolved and the last dissolved material from the tablet has been emptied into said desired container, attracting the solvent to its previous attraction height. , plus a predetermined fraction of the height of the light; and emptying said attracted solvent into said desired container.

According to an embodiment of the present description, the method comprises repeating said attraction of the solvent up to an increasing height of the light and said emptying of said solvent attracted to said desired container until the solvent has been attracted to a predetermined height of the light and emptied to said desired container.

The present invention comprises a method of making a pipette tip container as outlined above; the method comprises: providing said pipette tip; introducing through the proximal opening said at least one pellet of material into the lumen of the pipette tip; introducing said retainer into the lumen through the proximal opening, such that said at least one area of a periphery of the proximal end of the retainer contacts the interior wall of the lumen; and pushing said retainer into the lumen with an elongated member narrower than the lumen until the retainer reaches a desired position in the lumen.

According to one embodiment of the present description, the method comprises arranging in a desired position in the lumen, between the retainer and the proximal opening, a filter that prevents the passage of solids or liquids.

These and other features and advantages will become even more apparent from the detailed description and accompanying figures that follow. In the figures and the description, the numerals indicate the various features, like numerals refer to like features throughout the drawings and description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1A schematically represents a pipette tip container according to one embodiment of this presentation.

Figure 1B schematically represents a first radial cross section of the pipette tip container of Figure 1A.

Figure 1C schematically represents a second radial cross section of the pipette tip container of Figure 1A.

Figure 2A schematically represents a pipette tip container according to one embodiment of this presentation.

Figure 2B schematically represents the distal end of a pipette tip container according to a making this presentation.

Figure 2C schematically represents the distal end of a pipette tip container according to one embodiment of this presentation.

Figure 3A schematically represents an elevation view of a retainer according to an embodiment of this presentation.

Figure 3B schematically represents a top view of a retainer according to an embodiment of this presentation.

Figure 3C schematically represents a first axial cross section of a retainer according to an embodiment of this presentation.

Figure 3D schematically represents a second axial cross section of a retainer according to an embodiment of this presentation.

Figure 4 schematically represents an elevation view of a packaged retainer according to an embodiment of this presentation.

Figure 5 illustrates a method of using a pipette tip container according to one embodiment of this presentation.

Figure 6 illustrates a method for making a pipette tip container according to one embodiment of this presentation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to clearly describe various specific embodiments described herein. The person skilled in the art, however, will understand that the presently claimed invention can be practiced without all the specific details discussed below. In other cases, well-known features have not been described so as not to cloud the invention.

Figure 1A schematically represents a pipette tip container 10 according to one embodiment of this presentation, comprising a pipette tip 12 having a lumen 14 extending between a proximal opening 16 of a first diameter and a distal hole 18 of a second diameter, smaller than the first diameter. According to one embodiment of this presentation, the distal hole 18 is openable in the distal end of the pipette tip 12 as illustrated in FIG. 1A. It can also be opened to additional light, as detailed and illustrated below. According to one embodiment of this presentation, the lumen of the pipette tip can be conical or non-conical. A non-conical lumen can for example be cylindrical, with only a distal section having a distal hole of reduced diameter. According to one embodiment of this presentation, the outer walls of the pipette tip can be conical or non-conical; for example cylindrical. According to one embodiment of this presentation, the lumen 14 is generally in the shape of a cone, or of at least one frusto-cone disposed at the end of a cone (as illustrated in Figure 1A). As illustrated in Figures 2 and 4, according to one embodiment of this presentation, a proximal area of the pipette tip 12 may be cylindrical with a cylindrical lumen. According to one embodiment of this presentation, in the lumen 14 of the pipette tip 12 between said proximal opening 16 and the distal hole 18 there is at least one pellet 20 of material, and the diameter of the distal hole is too narrow to allow it to pass The pill.

According to one embodiment of this presentation, in the lumen 14 between the pad 20 and said proximal opening 16 a retainer 22 is arranged. According to an embodiment of this presentation, the retainer 22 is arranged to prevent the at least one pad 20 from moving past retainer 22 in lumen 14, but is arranged to allow fluid, such as a gas or liquid, to move past retainer 22 in lumen 14. According to one embodiment of this display, retainer 22 is arranged to allow fluid, such as a gas or liquid, passes through retainer 22 into the lumen

According to one embodiment of this presentation, the pipette tip is made of a transparent material. According to one embodiment of this presentation, the pipette tip and / or the retainer are made of polypropylene, which can be transparent (for example in the case of the pipette tip) or opaque (for example in the case of the retainer).

According to one embodiment of this presentation, the retainer 22 has a distal end 24 and a proximal end 26, wherein the distal end of the retainer is circumscribed within a third diameter and the proximal end of the retainer is circumscribed within a fourth, larger diameter. than the third diameter. According to one embodiment of this presentation, the retainer 22 is arranged so that at least a first area 28 of a periphery of the distal end 24 of the retainer does not contact the interior wall 30 of the lumen 14 and so that at least one area 32 of a periphery of proximal end 26 of retainer 22 exerts resilient pressure on interior wall 30 of lumen 14, and holds retainer 22 in lumen 14 by friction with interior wall 30 of lumen 14. According to one embodiment of this display , the retainer 22 is arranged so that it cannot slide back down into the pipette tip container 10 if the container tips over.

According to one embodiment of this presentation, the distal end 24 of the retainer 22 is distant from the proximal end 26 of the retainer 22 by a height greater than the largest diameter (said fourth diameter) of the retainer 22. This feature facilitates the positioning of the retainer 22 in light 14.

As detailed below, according to an embodiment of this presentation, the at least one area 32 of a periphery of the proximal end 26 of the retainer 22 that contacts the inner wall 30 of the lumen 14 comprises at least two pad zones 32 ', 32 "each coupled to distal end 26 of retainer 22 by a resilient arm 34', 34". According to one embodiment of this presentation, each resilient arm 34 ', 34 "comprises a radial opening 36', 36" between the proximal end 26 of the retainer 22 and the distal end 24 of the retainer 22, each radial opening developing from the first zone 28 from the periphery of the distal end of the retainer; radial openings 36 ', 36 "in arms 34', 34" communicate with an axial opening (such as the axial space between arms 34 ', 34 "in Figure 1A) in proximal end 26 of retainer 22.

According to one embodiment of this presentation, the retainer 22 further comprises two radial openings 36 "', 36" "between the arms 34', 34" on each side of the retainer 22, between the proximal end 26 and the distal end 24. According to a In embodiment of this presentation, the distal end 24 of the retainer 22 comprises an axial opening 38; the axial opening 38 and the lateral openings 36 ', 36 ", 36" "and 36" "having a non-parallel axis.

According to an embodiment of this presentation that is not illustrated, the retainer 22 can also be a cone of resilient material that comprises one or more generally axial grooves along its surface, and that can comprise an axial lumen.

According to one embodiment of this presentation, "tablet" can mean an addition of one or more reagents (for example biological and / or chemical reagents) in solid form, for example lyophilized reagents) and in particular freeze-dehydrated reagent (s) . The tablet or at least one tablet in the container then consists or comprises one or more soluble reagents. According to one embodiment of this presentation, by "soluble" is meant herein that it can be dissolved (or made in solution) in an aqueous, organic, polar or non-polar solvent or a mixture thereof. According to one embodiment of this presentation, one or more tablets in the container further comprise one or more insoluble reagents, for example particles (or beads) such as silica or magnetic particles. According to one embodiment of this presentation, the retainer is arranged to both prevent the particles and the at least one tablet from moving past the retainer in the lumen of the pipette tip but to allow fluid to move past the retainer in the lumen.

A single pellet 20 is illustrated in Figure 1A, but according to one embodiment of this display more than one pellet 20 can be arranged in the lumen between the distal hole 18 and the retainer 22. According to one embodiment of this display, if in the lumen Between the distal hole 18 and the retainer there is more than one pad 20, the more than one pad 20 can have the same shape and / or size or they can have different shapes or sizes. Similarly, more than one tablet may comprise the same reagent or the same reagent mixture or each may comprise a different reagent or different reagent mixtures. If at least two tablets comprise different reagents, they may have different shapes or sizes or different colors to facilitate visual inspection of the contents of the container. If at least two tablets comprise different reagents that could interfere, a tablet of neutral excipient (s) (soluble and / or insoluble neutral excipients) and / or between such two tablets an additional retainer can be arranged. According to one embodiment of this presentation, the tablets 20 can be hemispherical or spherical.

Figure 1B illustrates a radial cross section of a pipette tip container 10 at the height of the distal end 24 of the retainer 22 in the lumen 14, and shows in particular the axial opening 38 and the region 28 of the periphery of the distal end 24 , which forms a radial recess with respect to the remainder of the periphery of the distal end 24, so that it cannot touch the wall of the lumen. In Figure 1B, retainer 22 is not lowered into conical lumen 14 sufficiently for any part of the periphery of distal end 24 to contact wall 30 of lumen 14. However, according to one embodiment of this display, the Recessed area 28 is arranged so that even if retainer 22 is lowered into lumen 14 sufficiently to have part of the periphery of distal end 24 contact wall 30 of lumen 14, area 28 will not contact wall 30 light 14. According to one embodiment of this presentation, openings 36 ', 36 "in arms 34', 34" each develop from zone 28 to form a fluid path along with the axial opening in the retainer 22 between arms 34 ', 34 "(retainer 22 may be essentially hollow). Since retainer 22 has the general shape of a frusto-conical shape, zone 28 together with openings 36', 36" developing, each, from the zone 28 as well as the axial opening between the arms 34 ', 34 ", gar Antize that a fluid can always pass the retainer 22 in the lumen 14. The axial opening 38 as well as the radial openings 36 "'and 36" "between the arms 34', 34" also allow a fluid to pass the retainer 22 in the light 14.

Figure 1C illustrates a radial cross section of the container 10 at the height of the proximal end 26 of the retainer 22 in the lumen 14, and shows in particular the axial opening between the pads 32 ', 32 "at the end of the arms 34', 34 "of the retainer 22, and the radial openings 36" 'and 36 "" between the arms of the retainer 22.

Figure 2 illustrates a partially open side view of a pipette tip container 10 'according to one embodiment of this presentation, which essentially differs from the pipette tip container 10 illustrated in Figures 1A-C in that at lumen 14 the retainer 22 holds more than one pellet (two shown) 20, and in which a distal area 30 'of the inner wall 30 of the lumen comprises at least one protuberance 40 (one or more generally axial ridges in Figure 2) arranged to prevent it from a complete periphery of the first tablet 20 contacts a complete periphery of the inner wall 30 of the lumen, thus ensuring that the first tablet 20 does not block a fluid path in the lumen 14. According to one embodiment of this presentation, in the container pipet tip 10 ', a proximal area of the pipette tip 12, before the proximal end 16, may be cylindrical with a cylindrical lumen, for example to facilitate Handling the pipette tip container with an automated pipette.

According to one embodiment of this presentation, the pipette tip container 10 'also comprises a plug 42 arranged to prevent the first pellet 20 from reaching a position near the distal lumen hole 18 where a complete periphery of the first pellet 20 could contact at a complete periphery of the inner wall 30 of the lumen, thereby ensuring that the first tablet 20 does not block a fluid path in the lumen 14. It should be noted that according to one embodiment of this presentation, the pipette tip container 10 can comprise one or more stops 42, and / or one or more protrusions 40 having the function outlined hereinabove.

According to one embodiment of this presentation, the pipette tip container 10 'also comprises a filter 44, which is arranged between the retainer 22 and the proximal opening 16, and which prevents the passage of solids or liquids. Filter 44 for example can help prevent contamination from an automated pipette handling the container.

Figure 2B schematically represents the distal end of a pipette tip container according to one embodiment of this presentation, where the pipette tip 12 comprises a further lumen 14 'axially aligned with lumen 14; additional lumen 14 'extending between distal hole 18 of lumen 14 and a distal end of the pipette tip having an opening 18'; the additional lumen 14 'and the opening 18' of the distal end of the pipette tip 12 that has a diameter greater than the diameter of the distal hole 18. Figure 2B is additionally related to a pipette tip 12 that has a cylindrical lumen 14 and an additional cylindrical lumen 14 ', as well as a cylindrical outer wall.

Figure 2C schematically represents the distal end of a pipette tip container according to an embodiment of this presentation, where as in Figure 2B the pipette tip 12 comprises an additional lumen 14 'axially aligned with lumen 14; additional lumen 14 'extending between distal hole 18 of lumen 14 and a distal end of the pipette tip having an opening 18'; the additional lumen 14 'and the opening 18' of the distal end of the pipette tip 12 that has a diameter greater than the diameter of the distal hole 18. Figure 2C is further related to a pipette tip 12 that has a cylindrical lumen 14 and an additional cylindrical lumen 14 ', together with a conical outer wall.

Figure 3A schematically represents an elevation view of a retainer 22 according to one embodiment of this presentation, having a longitudinal axis wherein the at least two resilient pad areas 32 ', 32 "each follow an arc of a concentric circle with said longitudinal axis According to one embodiment of this presentation, the distal end 24 of the retainer 22 comprises a ring zone 46 concentric with said longitudinal axis and connected to a distal zone of each of the resilient arms 34 ', 34 "; an outer diameter of the ring area 46 being reduced in an alignment of the radial opening of each resilient arm. According to one embodiment of this presentation, the retainer 22 can be molded as a single piece; in a material that provides the arms 34 ', 34 "and the pads 32', 32" with at least a degree of resilience.

Figure 3B schematically represents a top view of a retainer according to an embodiment of this presentation, showing in particular clearly the axial opening 38 at the distal end of the retainer 22 as well as the axial opening between the arms 34 ', 34 "; radial openings 36 ', 36 "in arms 34', 34" and radial openings 36 '", 36" "between arms 34', 34".

Figure 3C schematically represents an axial cross-section of retainer 22, along plane B-B illustrated in Figure 3B and showing arm 34 'with radial hole 36' and pad 32 ', as well as axial hole 38.

Figure 3D schematically represents an axial cross section of the retainer 22, along the plane AA illustrated in Figure 3B and showing arms 34 'and 34 "with pads 32', 32" at the end of the arms and holes. radial 36 "'and 36" "between the arms, as well as the axial hole 38 and the axial hole between the arms (and pads).

Figure 4 schematically represents a partially open elevational view of a pipette tip container 10 according to a presentation embodiment, enclosed in a sealed storage container 50. According to an embodiment of this presentation, the container 50 may be made of a material opaque, to protect the reagent tablets 20 in the pipette tip container 10 from light and moisture. The container 50 for example can be molded into two parts, including a generally cylindrical bottom 50 ', having a closed bottom and a top opening; and a generally flat cap 50 "having a flange 52 sealedly connected to the edge of the upper opening of the lower portion 50 '. The lower portion 50' may also comprise a proximal portion that is cylindrical and a distal portion that is a frustum of a cone as illustrated According to one embodiment of this display, the cap 50 "comprises a carrier portion 54 arranged to removably support the pipette tip container 10 at its proximal area; the carrier portion 54 comprises an upper opening 56 which is sealed shut by an airtight film 58. The film 58 may be glued or heat attached or assembled to the upper opening 54 in any suitable manner. According to one embodiment of this presentation, the container 50 is arranged so that the pipette tip container 10 touches the container 50 only in its area. proximal. This makes it possible to reduce shocks to the tablets 20, in particular if the pipette tip 12 is made of a material that is somewhat resilient, as well as to reduce the transfer of heat to the tablets from outside the container 50, during storage. . According to one embodiment of this presentation, the container 50 can be vacuum sealed or filled with a neutral gas.

According to one embodiment of this presentation, in order to use the pipette tip container 10 the film 58 must be pierced or removed (manually or automatically) to gain access to the proximal end 16, then the pipette tip 16 can be connected to a automated pump or pipet to allow for automatic dilution or mixing of the reagent (s) in the pipet tip container 10, as detailed below.

Figure 5 illustrates a method 60 of using a pipette tip container 10 (10 ') according to one embodiment of this presentation, comprising: connecting 62 the proximal end 16 of the pipette tip 12 to a pipette body; and drawing 64 into the pipette tip 12 a volume of solvent from the material of the tablet 20 to at least the distal end 24 of the retainer 22. According to one embodiment of this presentation, the retainer 22 prevents the tablet (s) 20 from light 14 floats on top of the solvent when the solvent is attracted into light 14, thus improving the exposure of tablet (s) 20 to the solvent and facilitating dissolution of tablet (s) 20. Dissolution of tablet (s) can be total or partial (for example when the tablet (s) consist (s) of soluble and insoluble reagents). According to one embodiment of this presentation, the solvent is chosen from aqueous, organic, polar and non-polar solvents and mixtures thereof.

According to one embodiment of this presentation, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the solvent in the pipette tip 12 is emptied 66 into a desired container. The predetermined time can be chosen so that at least one area of the pellet (s) 20 has dissolved in the solvent at the pipette tip 12. According to one embodiment of this presentation, provided that the soluble reagent (s) ) of the tablet (s) are not completely dissolved, the method 60 comprises repeating 68 said attraction 64 of the solvent to at least the distal end of the retainer 22; and after a predetermined time emptying 66 the solvent and dissolved material from the tablet (s) into the desired container. A complete dissolution of the tablets or the soluble reagent (s) of the tablets can be detected automatically for example by optical sensors. According to one embodiment of this presentation, this passive solubilization and homogenization process is efficient and preferred over mechanical agitation, to preserve sensitive biological reagents against precipitation or conformation change.

According to one embodiment of this presentation, after the tablets have completely dissolved and the last dissolved material from the tablet has been emptied 66 into the desired container, the method comprises attracting 70 the solvent to its previous attraction height, plus a predetermined fraction. the height of the light 14; then emptying said attracted solvent into said desired container after a second predetermined time. This additional attraction of solvent to the light 14 is provided to "wash" any traces of reagent powder from the tablet that might have become detached from the tablet during storage and would have remained somewhat attached to the wall 30 of the light 14 above. of the retainer 22. This additional attraction also allows to achieve complete solubility and homogeneity of the material in solvent and wash the walls of the lumen of excessively concentrated material residue from the tablet solution.

According to one embodiment of this presentation, the retainer 22 is shaped to prevent foaming when a solvent / diluent is attracted to light 14 beyond the retainer 22. The inventors have discovered that a retainer 22 as described above in this memory, arranged to allow the fluid to move past the retainer in the lumen and in particular having a distal end and a proximal end of larger diameter, where at least one area of a periphery of the distal end of the retainer cannot contact in the interior wall of the lumen and where at least one area of a periphery of the proximal end of the retainer exerts resilient pressure on the interior wall of the lumen and holds the retainer in the lumen by friction with the interior wall of the lumen, it adapts to avoid such foaming; in particular if the distal end of the retainer further comprises an axial opening as well as the beginning of at least one lateral opening that further develops in the retainer; the axial opening and the lateral opening having a non-parallel axis; and in particular if the retainer has a shape such as claimed in the present application and / or illustrated in Figures 3A-D.

According to one embodiment of this presentation, the "wash" is repeated 72 gradually drawing more solvent to the light 14, then emptying the light into the desired container, until a predetermined height of attraction is reached, then emptying into the desired container. The tablet material is thereafter prepared for use in a homogeneous liquid form in the desired container. According to one embodiment of this presentation, the method 60 can be automated. Implementing the pipette tip container as described earlier herein in an automated reconstitution process such as an automated method 60 reduces the potential risk of contamination during preparation, increases efficiency, and reduces experimental errors during preparation, and ensures reliable and accurate reproducibility of results.

Figure 6 illustrates a method 78 for manufacturing a pipette tip container 10 according to one embodiment of this presentation, the method comprises: providing 80 a pipette tip 12; introducing (eg by dropping) 82 through proximal opening 16 at least one pellet 20 of material into lumen 14 of pipette tip 12; enter (eg.

by dropping) 84 through the proximal opening a retainer 22 in the lumen 14, such that at least one area 32 of a periphery of a proximal end 26 of the retainer 22 contacts the inner wall 30 of the lumen 14; and thereafter pushing 86 retainer 22 into lumen 14 with an elongated member narrower than lumen 14 (thus causing arms 34 ', 34 "to resiliently exert pressure on walls 30 of lumen 14) until retainer 22 reaches a desired position in lumen 14; for example such that distal end 24 of retainer 22 touches the top of the at least one pellet 20 in lumen 14, or is near said top of the at least one tablet According to one embodiment of this presentation the method may optionally comprise arranging in a desired position in the lumen 14, between the retainer 22 and the proximal opening 16, a filter 44 that prevents the passage of solids or liquids.

Having described the invention in accordance with the requirements of the patent states, those skilled in the art will understand how to make changes and modifications to the present invention to meet their specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

The above Detailed Description of exemplary and preferred embodiments is presented by way of illustration and description as required by law. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms described, but only to enable others skilled in the art to understand how the invention may be suitable for a particular use or implementation. The possibility of modifications and variations will be apparent to professionals skilled in the art.

No limitation is intended on the description of exemplary embodiments that may have including tolerances, feature dimensions, specific operating conditions, engineering specifications, or the like, and that may vary between implementations or with changes to the state of the art, and are not it must imply limitation from them. The applicant has made this description with respect to the current state of the art, but also contemplates advances, and adaptations in the future may take those advances into consideration, that is to say according to the state of the art at that time. The scope of the invention is intended to be defined by the claims as written.

Claims (22)

1. A pipette tip container (10) comprising: a pipette tip (12) having a lumen (14) extending between a proximal opening (16) of a first diameter and a distal hole (18) of a second diameter, smaller than the first diameter; at least one pellet (20) of material disposed in the lumen (14) of the pipette tip (12) between said proximal opening (16) and distal hole (18), where the second diameter is too narrow to allow it to pass the tablet (20); Y a retainer (22) arranged in the lumen (14) between the pad (20) and said proximal opening (16), the retainer (22) being arranged to prevent the at least one pad (20) from moving past the retainer ( 22) in the lumen (14) but allow the fluid to move past the retainer (22) in the lumen (14); the retainer (22) having a distal end (24) and a proximal end (26), wherein the distal end (24) of the retainer (22) is circumscribed within a third diameter and the proximal end (26) of the retainer (22) is circumscribed within a fourth diameter, greater than the third diameter, where at least a first zone (28) of a periphery of the distal end (24) of the retainer (22) does not contact an interior wall (30) of the lumen (14) and wherein at least one area (32) of a periphery of the proximal end (26) of the retainer (22) exerts resilient pressure on the inner wall (30) of the lumen (14) and maintains the retainer (22) in the light (14) by friction with the inner wall (30) of the light (14). 2. The pipette tip container of claim 1, wherein the lumen (14) is conical. The pipette tip container of claim 1 or 2, wherein the pipette tip (12) comprises a further lumen (14 ') axially aligned with the lumen (14); the additional lumen extends between the distal hole (18) of the lumen and a distal end (18 ') of the pipette tip (12); the additional lumen (14 ') having a diameter greater than said second diameter. The pipette tip container of claim 1 to 3, wherein the distal end (24) of the retainer (22) is distal from the proximal end (26) of the retainer (22) by a height greater than said fourth diameter. The pipette tip container of claim 1 to 4, wherein said at least one area of a periphery of the proximal end (26) of the retainer (22) that contacts the inner wall of the lumen comprises at least two areas pad (32 ', 32 ") each coupled to the distal end (24) of the retainer by a resilient arm (34', 34"). The pipette tip container of claim 5, wherein each resilient arm (34 ', 34 ") comprises a radial opening (36', 36") between the proximal end (26) of the retainer (22) and the distal end (24) of the retainer (22), each radial opening (36 ', 36 ") develops from said first zone (28) of a periphery of the distal end (24) of the retainer (22); the radial openings (36 ', 36 ") in the arms (34', 34") communicate with an axial opening in the proximal end (26) of the retainer (22). The pipette tip container of claim 1 to 6, wherein said at least one pellet (20) of material comprises at least two pellets (20) of material. The pipette tip container of claim 7 wherein said at least two pellets (20) of material are of the same shape and size. The pipette tip container of claim 1 to 8, wherein said at least one pellet (20) of material is hemispherical. The pipette tip container of claim 1 to 9, wherein the distal end (24) of the retainer (22) comprises an axial opening (38) and the beginning of at least one side opening (36 ', 36 " ) is further developed in the retainer (22), the axial opening (38) and the lateral opening (36 ', 36 ") having a non-parallel axis. The pipette tip container of claim 1 to 10, wherein said retainer (22) has a longitudinal axis and said at least one area (32) of a periphery of the proximal end (26) of the retainer (22) that Contact on the inner wall (30) of the lumen (14) comprises at least two resilient pad areas (32 ', 32 ") each following an arc of a circle concentric with said longitudinal axis, each pad area ( 32 ', 32 ") coupled to the distal end (24) of the retainer by a resilient arm (34', 34") comprising a radial opening (36 ', 36 ") between the proximal end (26) of the retainer (22) and the distal end (24) of the retainer (22); wherein the distal end (24) of the retainer (22) comprises a ring zone (46) concentric with said longitudinal axis and connected to a distal zone of each of said resilient arms (34 ', 34 "); being a diameter exterior of said ring area (46) reduced in an alignment of the radial opening (36 ', 36 ") of each resilient arm (34', 34"). The pipette tip container of claim 1 to 11, wherein a distal region of the inner wall (30) of the The lumen (14) comprises a protuberance (40) arranged to prevent the entire periphery of said at least one tablet (20) from contacting a complete periphery of the inner wall (30) of the lumen (14). The pipette tip container of claim 1 to 12, wherein a distal region of the lumen (14) comprises a plug (42) arranged to prevent said at least one pellet (20) from reaching a position near the hole. distal (18) of the lumen (14) where a complete periphery of said at least one pellet (20) could contact a complete periphery of the inner wall (30) of the lumen (14); the plug (42) being arranged to provide a fluid path through the lumen (14). The pipette tip container of claim 1 to 13, comprising between said retainer (22) and said proximal opening (16) a filter (44) that prevents the passage of solids or liquids. The pipette tip container of claim 1 to 14, wherein the pipette tip (12) is made of a transparent material. 16. The pipette tip container of claim 1 to 15, wherein said tablet (20) comprises soluble reactant. 17. A method of using the pipette tip container of claim 16, comprising: connecting said proximal opening (16) to a pipette body; drawing into the pipette tip (12) a volume of solvent of said soluble material to at least said distal end (24) of said retainer (22); Y After dissolving at least one area of said tablet (20), empty solvent and dissolved material from the tablet (20) into a desired container. 18. The method of claim 17 comprising, provided that the tablet (20) does not completely dissolve, repeating said solvent attraction to at least said distal end (24) of said retainer (22); and emptying said solvent and dissolved material from the tablet (20) into said desired container. The method of claim 18 comprising, after the tablet (20) has completely dissolved and the last dissolved material from the tablet (20) has been emptied into said desired container, drawing the solvent to its previous height of attraction, plus a predetermined fraction of the height of the light (14); and emptying said attracted solvent into said desired container. The method of claim 19, comprising repeating said attraction of the solvent up to an increasing height of the light (14) and said dumping of said solvent attracted to said desired container until the solvent has been attracted to a predetermined height of the light and emptying into said desired container. 21. A method of making a pipette tip container (10) according to claim 1 to 16; the method comprises: providing said pipette tip (12); introducing through the proximal opening (16) said at least one pellet (20) of material into the lumen (14) of the pipette tip (12); inserting said retainer (22) into the lumen (14) through the proximal opening (16), so that said at least one area (32) of a periphery of the proximal end (26) of the retainer (22) contacts in the inner wall (30) of the light (14); Y pushing said retainer (22) into the lumen (14) with an elongated member narrower than the lumen (14) until the retainer (22) reaches a desired position in the lumen (14). 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising arranging at a desired position in the lumen (14), between the retainer (22) and the proximal opening (16), a filter (44) that prevents the passage of solids or liquids.